Emergency Responders Drawing Blood in Annual Challenge

A month-long blood donation challenge will pit the Winnipeg Police Service and Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service against each other.

The sixth annual Sirens for Life will kick off this morning at Canadian Blood Services.

The yearly emergency responders’ blood donation challenge runs through the month of March.

“It’s a friendly competition that’s really about teamwork,” said Deputy WPS Chief Shelley M. Hart. “Police, fire and paramedics work together daily to protect Winnipeggers — ensuring a healthy blood supply is another way we can work together to keep people safe.”

Both Hart and Ken Sim, WFPS Deputy Chief of Operations, will draw first blood in support of their teams.

Since 2006, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service has won two challenges and Winnipeg Police Service has won three, including Sirens for Life 2010 with 112 blood donations.